While there are many key milestones on the journey to becoming a professional rugby player, few can match the experience of playing in the U20s Six Nations.
As proud sponsor of the Ireland U20s Rugby Team, PwC understands the importance of recognising and nurturing potential, and supporting the journey to success.
For many players, the U20s Six Nations will be their first competitive game in the famous green jersey. For most, it will be their first time playing on live television.
For the fans, the buzz and excitement of a Six Nations weekend begins with this fixture.
Below, we take a look at some of the players who burst onto the scene from their respective U20S Six Nation campaigns.
Simon Zebo
Simon Zebo has represented some of the biggest teams in world rugby. With 150 Munster caps, a 2015 Six Nations winner, a 2013 British and Irish Lion as well as a stint with French powerhouse Racing 92, he will certainly go down as an Irish rugby legend.
But, it was a wet night in Dubarry Park in Athlone in February 2010 where most Irish eyes caught sight of the elusive winger. Zebo skipped past Italian tacklers to score his first try for the Irish U20s side in that year's Six Nations tournament live on RTE 2.
That Irish side went on to claim the 2010 U20s Six Nations title. After a wonderful individual campaign, Simon Zebo was handed his Munster debut just a month later against Connacht in April 2010. Since then, he has scored 320 points in 150 games for the province. Incredible stats, considering he also scored 125 points in 60 games for Racing 92 between 2018 and 2021.
Now back for his second stint with his home province, the Cork man is one of the most loved figures in Munster Rugby.
He’s come a long way from that wet night in Dubarry Park.
Robbie Henshaw
Henshaw is one of a handful of players who was already playing senior rugby with their province when they were called up to the Irish U20s Six Nations squad. But, Henshaw was in fact called down to the U20s squad, as he was already named in the Irish senior squad for the 2013 Six Nations.
The Connacht player was released to play against England U20s for their 8 February date on his club's home pitch, Dubarry Park.
Having narrowly lost to Wales in the opening round, Henshaw starred at full-back to help Ireland beat reigning U20s champions, England 16-15.
Eight months later, Henshaw would make his senior international debut, coming on for Brian O’Driscoll against Australia.
Since then, Henshaw has been central to some of the biggest moments in Irish rugby.
In 2015, Henshaw would be named in the Irish World Cup squad. In 2016, a move to Leinster proved fruitful as he has won four league titles and a Champions Cup trophy to date.
He is also a two time British and Irish Lion, touring in 2017 and 2021.
The reigning IRUPA Player of the Year still has plenty to offer Irish rugby over the coming years, having just signed a contract extension earlier this year.
Keith Earls
2007 was a special year for Keith Earls. He wasn’t long out of St. Munchin’s College where he won a Senior Cup trophy and was now in the Munster Academy. He would be crowned Academy Player of the Year as well as earn his senior debit against Glasgow in October. But, it was his U20s Six Nations campaign that supporters will remember Keith Earls for in 2007.
His young team beat everyone in front of them to claim the first ever Irish Grand Slam at that age grade.
The team was littered with future stars as Cian Healy, Sean O’Brien, Darren Cave, Felix Jones and Ian Keatley all went on to earn senior Irish caps.
Earls’ star would continue to rise. He was a member of the Munster matchday 23 that claimed their second Champions Cup trophy in 2008 as they beat Toulouse 16-13 in Cardiff.
Earls would then play an instrumental role in helping the province lift two league titles in 2009 and 2011.
One of his finest achievements came at the end of that first league winning season as Earls was named in the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad to travel to South Africa. Earls was now seen as a world class operator.
Keith Earls greatest achievement is certainly his longevity. The ability to play at a world class level for such a long period of time is truly incredible. This is evident as he prepares for a Six Nations test with Italy 15 years after his U20s success.
Iain Henderson
At 6ft 6in with raw pace and power, Iain Henderson was one of the most exciting forwards to wear an Irish U20s jersey as he emerged in 2012.
Many of that team would go on to win senior caps, but incredibly, four would go to represent the British and Irish Lions. Henderson would get that honour along with Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne.
But, the 2012 U20s campaign wouldn’t be as fruitful. Despite losing just one game, Ireland finished behind France and England on points difference as all three sides finished on eight points.
But, with the likes of future Irish internationals Luke McGrath, Chris Farrell and Niall Scannell, as well as the future Lions, it shows just how important a springboard this competition has been for Irish rugby.
Henderson’s ball carrying and versatility across the back row and lock positions meant he was quickly elevated to the Ulster senior squad, earning his debut against Connacht a month after the U20s Six Nations campaign.
Since then, Henderson has earned 123 caps for his province and 65 caps for his country.
With two British and Irish Lions tours and a Rugby World Cup under his belt, Henderson was named Ulster captain after Rory Best’s retirement in 2019.
With an exciting crop of young players with Ulster and Ireland, Henderson will look to add some more silverware to his illustrious career.
As official sponsors of the U20s, PwC are proud to support Ireland’s next generation. To reach the next level means being imaginative, brave and committed. At PwC, we transform your business potential into success. For more visit: pwc.ie
